Detroit Lions 2015 Offseason Calendar
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions and 30 other NFL teams are already in offseason mode with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots to make it 32 out of 32 after tomorrow’s Super Bowl. Here is a look at the NFL’s offseason calendar with important dates to keep in mind.
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With the First Pick
Feb. 16
First day for clubs to designate franchise or transition players. The Lions haven’t ruled out using the franchise tag on Ndamukong Suh but it would be a wildly expensive option at over $26 million.
Feb. 17-23
NFL Scouting Combine (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)
March 2
Deadline to designate franchise or transition players at 4 p.m. ET.
March 7-10
Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2014 contracts at 4 p.m. ET on March 10. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4 p.m. ET on March 10.
March 10
Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must exercise options for 2015 on all players who have option clauses in their 2014 contracts
Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation
Prior to 4 p.m. ET, clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2014 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit
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Teams must be under the 2015 salary cap based on their top 51 contracts prior to 4 p.m. ET
All 2014 player contracts expire at 4 p.m. ET
2015 league year and free agency period begins (4 p.m. ET)
Trading period for 2015 begins (4 p.m. ET)
April 20
Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs
April 24
Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets
April 29
Deadline for prior club to exercise Right of First Refusal to Restricted Free Agents
April 30-May 2
NFL Draft (Chicago)
May 8-11 or May 15-18
Teams may hold their three-day post-draft rookie minicamp, Friday-Sunday or Saturday-Monday in either weekend.
July 15
At 4 p.m. ET, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multi-year contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2015 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game
Mid-July
Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies and first-year players beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest permissible mandatory reporting date for veteran players.
Veteran players other than quarterbacks or injured players may report to a club’s preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.
Veteran quarterbacks and injured players may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies and first-year players.
A three-day acclimation period will apply to players who are on a club’s roster up to and including the mandatory veteran reporting date. Players who join the roster after that date may practice (including wearing pads) and play immediately after passing a physical.
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- Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
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